Charging device for casting machines



NOV. 28, 1944. WALDlE 2,363,759

CHARGING DEVICE FOR CASTING MACHINES Filed March 21, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 4 low i T mvemoa (meme RWALDIE BY h n 1 3 flTTORNEYs IOI m m M W o. u w I I. I 9 I I q 1w 0 m I F. W a F HI w n o 5 7/4072 ha 4 a C| 3 b p 5 2. b M .m 6 A. r u T d. a a 6 6m a M l m We. 5M 6 M70 W a 5 1 W 5 l N r: I M 3 l 6 I 0 "n k U E v =1 x 9 o 1 /////////A 9 b .7 u 1 9 I All 0 Z L 3 V H I 9 w m M 6 7 6 w I 9 3 I 4 I w e P w m a e I n u I co l II III 3 8 E a :1 e a O I I u w I r\ \JYI/ an l0 MW Lt m 6 V Nov. 28,1944, G. A. WALDIE 2,363,759

CHARGING DEVICE FOR CASTING MACHINES Fi led March 21, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR 3M aglwsvm; ATTORNEY .Patented Nov. 28,1944

CHARGING navrca Foa CASTING MACHINES ENT' OFFICE George A. Waldie, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to The Hydraulic Development Corporation,

mington, Del.,- a corporationv oi Inc., W1l- Delaware Application March 21, 1942, Serial No. 435,691

6 Claims.

This invention relates to casting and, in particular, to charging. devices for casting machines.

a Withtcertain types of die casting machines,-

particularly those handling brass, aluminum and magnesium, it was heretofore customary to ladle the molten metal into the machine by hand for each shot. Aside from the fact that this ladling action is rather crude and lacks accuracy, it requires the full time of an operator and, thereby, increases the cost of production.-

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a charging device for charging casting machines, which will overcome the above mentioned drawbacks.

It is another object of the invention to provide a device for charging casting machines, which will be operated automaticallyat a predetermined stage of operation of the machine to be charged. v I

Still another object of the invention consists in'the provision of a charging device,twhich will make it possible automatically'to charge a casting machine for each shot with a predetermined but variable quantity ofmolten metal. V It is another object to provide a device for charging a casting machine "which; while automatically charging the machine, will prevent the slag from being filled into the machine.

Still another object consists in the provision of a device for charging casting machines, which will prevent the slag from entering the charging device.

These and other objects and advantagesof the invention will appear more clearly from the following specification in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 diagrammatically illustrates a die casting machine provided with a charging device according to the invention.

Figures 2 to 5 show various stages of operation of a first embodiment of the invention.

Figures 6 and 7 show a further embodiment ofthe invention.

Figures 8 and 9 illustrate another embodiment of the invention, while Figure 10 shows a detail which may be used inconnection with any of the embodiments in the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings in detaihthe vstructure shown in Figure 1 comprises a clamping cylinder I having reciprocably mounted therein a double-acting piston 2 connected by a The mold portion 5 is stationary and connected with an injection cylinder 6 having reciprocably mounted therein an injection plunger I. The injection plunger 1 is operated by a double-acting piston 8 reciprocable in acylinder 9. The right hand portion of the cylinder 9 is connected with a conduit l0 leading to a fourway valve, generally designated ll, of any standard design.

The valve II is connected with a conduit 12 leading to the left hand side of the cylinder 9. Two further conduits l3 and connected with the valve ll lead to a similarly constructed fourway valve II, which communicates through conduits l6 and J1 with the respective ends of the cylinder-i. The valve member l8 otithe valve and I, while simultaneously fluid connection is established between the conduits l2 and I3. In a similar manner, the valve member 20 of the valve li' is operable by a solenoid 2| so as to effect hydraulic connection between the conduits I 6 and I, while simultaneously connecting the conduits l3and l1.

The solenoid- I9 is connected with-a line 22 adapted. by closure 01' the contactor blade 23, to be connected with the line 24. Thecontactor blade 23 is moved into its closing position by energization of the solenoid 25 which, when energized, also causes its contactor blade 26 to connect the line 21 with the line 28, which latter is connected to the line 24. The solenoid 25 is arranged in a line 29', one end of which is connected to the line 30 leading to the main supply normally connected through switch blade 32 piston rod 3, which latter-is adapted to support 3' a mold portion 4 for cooperation with a mold portion 5.

with the line 21.

The switch blade 32 is controlled by a timing device 33, which, when actuated, causes the switch blade 32, after a predetermined tim corresponding to the setting of the timer, to interrupt electric connection'between-the lines 29' and 21'. The timing device 33 is connected through line 34 with a line 35, one end oi? which leads to a normally open switch 36, while the other end is connected to another timing device 31.

The timing device 3'! is connected by line 38 with the line 24 and controls the switch blade 39 normally interconnecting the lines 40 and M. Actuation of the timing device 31 causes the switchblade 39 to break the connection between the lines "and 4!. The line 40 is connected with the line 24, which latter leads to the main supply line 42.

Also connected with the main supply line 42 is a line 43 adapted, by closure of the starter switch 44, to be connected with the line 45, which latter comprises a contactor solenoid 45, and leads to the main supply line 3|. Branching oil from the-line 45 is a line 41 adapted, by closure of the contactor blade 48, to be connected with the line 4|. Closure of the contactor blade 45 is brought about by energization of the solenoid 45 which, when energized, also causes its contactor blade 49 to connect the line 55, branchin off from the line 24, with the line 5| comprising the solenoid 2| and leading to the main supply line 3|. Branching ofi from the line 24 is a line 52 leading to a switch 53, similar to the switch 35. The switch 53, when closed, establishes electric connection between the line 52 and the line 54 leading to the line 29.

The hydraulic system of Figure 1 is supplied with pressure fluid from a pump 55, having its suction line 55 connected with a fluid reservoir or surge tank 51. The tank 51 is connected by conduit 58 with the conduit l3. The pressure side of the pump 55 communicates through conduit 59 with the conduit l4.

The charging or ladling device, accordingv to the present invention, shown in Figures 1 to 5, is generally designated with the numeral 50. Th charging device 55 comprises a container 5| containing molten metal 52 and supported by a support 53 forming a, part of the frame 54 of the casting machine shown in Figure 1.

Pivotally connected to the container 5| and shiftable about the pivot 65 is a ladle 55 with a cup shaped portion 51 (Figure 4) and a channel 55, communicating .with the portion 61. Pivotally connected to the ladle 55 is a link 59 which, in its turn, is pivotally connected to a rod 15 passing through a, guide 1|, carried by the container 5|. The rod is connected to a dash pot arrangement, generally designated 12, which may be of any standard design and is so constructed that it slows down the upward movement of the rod 10. The rod carries a pin (Figure 5) adapted to cooperate with a lever arm 14 connected to a sleeve 15 which is shiftable about a bolt 15 journalled in the frame 53 and connected thereto by a nut 11. The sleeve 15 has furthermore connected thereto an arm 18 which carries a roller 19 for cooperation with a cam 85. The cam 89 is supported by an arm 8| which, in its turn, is connected to the plunger Closure of the contactor blade 49 closes a circuit comprising main supply 1ine\42, line 24, line 50, blade 49, line 5|, valve solenoid 2| and main supply line 3|. In this way the solenoid 2| is energized and shifts the valve member 25 of valve l5 into position for establishing fluid connection between the conduits l4 and I5, while connecting the conduit H with the conduit". As a result thereof, pressure fluid from the pump 55 passes through conduits 59 and I4, valve l5 and conduit l5 into the left hand end of the cylinder Here the pressure fluid acts upon the piston 2 and moves the latter toward the right so that the mold portion 4 engages the mold portion 5.

At about the time when the mold portions 4 and 5 engage each other, the arm 85, connected to the mold portion 4, engages the switch 53 so as to close the latter, thereby establishing a circuit comprising main supply line 42, line 24, line 52, switch 53, lines 54 and 29, contactor solenoid 25, line 29, line 30 and main supply line 3|. As a result thereof, the solenoid 25 is energized and causes its contactor blades 23 and 25 to move into closing position.

Closure of the contactor blade 25 establishes a holding circuit for the solenoid 25, which holding circuit comprises main supply line 42, line 24, line25, contactor blade 25, line 21, switch blade 32, line 29, solenoid 25, line 3|] and main supply line 3|. Closure of the contactor blade 23 establishes an energizing circuit for the valve solenoid l9, which energizing circuit comprises main supply line 42, line 24, blade 23, line 22, solenoid l9, line 35 and main supply line 3|. Energization of the solenoid l9 causes the valve member l8 to move into such a position as to 1 and has an extension 82 adapted to actuate the switch 35. The cam 5|] has a guiding sleeve In order to perform a working cycle of the structure shown in Figures 1 to 5, the operator first starts the pump 55 and then closes the starter switch 44. Closure of the starter switch 44 establishes an energizing circuit for the contactor solenoid 45, which energizing circuit comprises main supply line 42, line 43, starter switch- 44, line 45 including the solenoid 45 and main supply line 3|. Energization of the contactor solenoid 45causes the switch blades 48 and 49 to move into their closing position. Closure of the switch blade 48 establishes a holding circuit for the solenoid 45, which holding circuit comprises main supply line 42, line 24, line 40, switch blade 39, line 4|, contactor blade 48, line 41, solenoid 45, line 45 and main supply line 3|,

83 slidable on the guiding rod 84, which latter has one end connected with the mold portion 5 and the other end with the cylinder 9.

establish fluid connection between the conduits I4 and I, while connecting the conduit l2 with the conduit l3.

Pressure fluid from the pump 55 now passes through conduits 59, i4 and ill into the right end of the cylinder 9 where it acts upon the piston 8 and begins to move the latter, together with the plunger 1, toward the left. Inasmuch as the arm 8i and cam are connected to the plunger, the leftward movement of the plunger 1 also causes leftward movement of the cam 85. Immediately at or shortly after the starting of the leftward movement of the piston 8, the cam 55 engaging the roller 19 begins, by means of this roller, to shift the arm 13 in anticlockwise direction, thereby rotating the sleeve 15 and arm 14 connected thereto likewise in anticlockwise direction. This causes the arm 14 to engage the pin 13 on the rod 15 and, thereby, to move the rod 10 downwardly. Downward movement of the rod 15 in its turn causes the link 59 to shift the ladle 55 in clockwise direction from the stage indicated in Figure 2 into the stage indicated in Figure 3.

The molten metal ladled by the ladle 55 will then pour through the opening 55 into the injection cylinder 5 and in front of the plunger At a desired point of travel, the extension 82 on the arm 5| engages the switch 35 so as to close the latter, thereby establishing an energizing circuit for the timing devices 33 and 31. These energizing circuits respectively comprise main supply line 42, line 24, line 35, timing device 31, lines 35 and 35 and main supply line 3|; and main supply line 42, line 24, line 51, timing device 33, lines ed with the line 91 leading to the main'supply plimger 'I :pericrms its actual injecting operation, the cam' 80 passes beyond and thereby, disengages the roller 19. As soon 'as this happens, the weight of the cup shaped portion 01 moves the ladle 05 in anticlockwise direction so that the cup shaped portion 51 again immerges' intothe molten metal contained in the container BI. Movement of the ladle 58 in anticlockwise direction causes the rod I to move upwardly, which upward movement is somewhat slowed down by the dash pot arrangement I2, therebypreventing splashing of the molten metal in the container BI when the ladle 85 begins to immerge.

When the time for which the timing device 33 was set has expired, the blade 32 opens. thereby breaking the holding circuit for the contactor solenoid 25. As a result thereof, the contactor blades 23 and 23 open. This results in a deenergization of the valve solenoid I9 so that spring means (not shown) in the valve II shifts the valve member I8 intoa position in which the conduit l4 communicates with the conduit I2, while the conduit I0 communicates with the conduit I3. Pressure fluid from the pump 55 now flows through conduits 59, I4 and I2 to the left side of the cylinder 9, where it acts upon the piston 8 and begins to move the latter toward the right. A predetermined time thereafter,;also the time for which the timing device 31' was set expires, thereby causing the blade 39 to interrupt electric connection between the lines40 and M. This results in a deenergization of .the contactor solenoid 45 so that the contactor blades 48 and 49 open.

Opening of the contactor blade 49 breaks the energizing circuit for the solenoid 2I, and 'as'a result thereof, a spring (not shown) in the valve l shifts the valve member 20 into a position in which the conduit I4 communicates with the conduit I1, while simultaneously fluid connection is line 98, while the other end of the solenoid is connected to a line 99 adapted," by closure of the, contactor blade I00, to communicate with line IOI.leadin'g to the main supply line I02. The blade I00 is controlled-by a solenoid I03 which,

when energized, closes the blade I 00 and also the. I

blade I04. Closure of the blade I04 establishes electricco'nnection between the line I05, connected to the main supply line 98, andtheline I08 leading to a normally closed control switch- I0'I. The control switch I01 is furthermore connected, by means'of the line I08, with one end established between the conduit I6 and the conduit I3.

Pressure fluid from the pump now flows through conduits 59, I4 and I1 into the right hand portion of the cylinder I, wherelit acts upon the piston 2 and moves the latter toward .the left.

thereby withdrawing the mold portion 4 from the mold portion 5.

While the plunger 1 is moving toward the right,

the cam shifts the arm I8 slightly in clockwise direction. This, however, has no" effect on the rod 10. When the pistons 2 and 8- have again reached the position shownin Figure 1, the niachine comes to a halt and. is ready for a new cycle.

of the solenoid I03, while the other end of the solenoid I03 is connected through line I09 with the.-main supply line I02. The line I08 is adapted to be connected with a sure of the switch I I I.

line IIO by clo- The switch I01 is carried by a support II2 connected to the rod 10 so as to be movable therewith. The support I'I2 carries an extension H3 serving as a guide member for the rod II and adapted to engage a collar I I5 adjustably mounted on the rod II4. Therod II4 has connected to the lower end thereof a float -I I5 which may be of solid graphite, or any other material which will stand up under the heat in the moltenmetal in the injection cylinder 6, The device ofFigures 6 and.'7 is operated in the following manner: v

If it isdesired to have the ladle 6B pour metal into the injection cylinder 6, the switch III is closed, either manually or by the extension-82 of Figure 1 when the latter has reached a predetermined point of travel on its leftward movement. Closure of the switch III establishes an energizing circuit for the solenoid I03, which energizing circuit comprises mainsupply line 98,

. ing position. Closureof the switch blade I04 establishes a holding circuit for the solenoid I03,

'- j which holding circuit comprises the main supply line ,I02, line I09, solenoid I03, line I08, control switch I 01, line I06, contactor blade I04, line'I05 and main supply line 98. Closure of the contamswitch. I I I, solenoid I03, line I09 and main suptor blade I00 establishes an energizing circuitfor the solenoid 95, comprising main supply line. I02, contactor blade. I00, line-99, solenoid 95, line 91 and main supply line 98. Energization of the Referring now to the embodiments shown in Figures 6 and 7, the cam 80 for actuating the.-

ladle I56 is replaced by a fluid operable auxiliary cylinder-piston-assembly, generally designated 88. More specifically, the rod I0 is connected to a piston (not shown) which is reciprocable in the cylinder 89 and is moved downwardly by fluid passing' from the pump 55 through the conduit 90, four-way va1ve 9I and conduit 92 into the upper portion of the cylinder 89. On the other hand, the rod I0 is moved upwardly when fluid is admitted through the conduit and valve 9| into the conduit 93; 'Ihevalve member 94, pertaining to the valve 9|, is controlled by a solenoid 95 which, when energized, causes the valve memand the conduit 93.

solenoid 95' causes the valve member 94 to move downwardly, thereby connecting the conduit 90 with the conduit 92, while simultaneously establishing connection between the exhaust line .96 Pressure fluid from the pump 55 now passes through conduit 90, valve BI and conduit 92 into the upper portion of the cylinder 89, thereby moving the rod 'IIldownwardly. This'movement, by means of link 69,- causes the ladle 66 to tion so as to pour the molten metal from the ladle into the injection cylinder 6'. While the level of'the molten metal in the injection cylinder 6 rises, it'lifts the float IIB. When the float .IIB has risen to a predetermined level, corresponding to a predetermined 'quantity of metal ber 94 to establish fluid connectionbetween the f conduits 90 and 92, while simultaneously connecting the exhaust line 96 with the conduit 93.

The solenoid 95 has-one end thereof connectp sition,

in the cylinder 6, the rod II4, connected to the float IIS, actuates the control switch II'II so as to open the latter, thereby breaking the holding circuit for the solenoid I03.

Deenergization of the solenoid I03 causes the contactor blades I04 and I 00 with the result that the energizing cirshift in clockwise directo move into open.

shown) in the valve 9| to move the valve member 94 upwardly thereby establishing fluid connection betweenthe conduits 90 and 93, while connecting the conduit 92 with the exhaust conduit 96. Pressure fluid from the pump 55 now passes through conduits 90 and 93 into the lower portion of the cylinder 89 so as to lift the rod which, by means of the link 69, now shifts the ladle 66 in anticlockwise direction, as indicated in Figure 7. Upward movement of the rod 10 also causes upward movement of the support H2 and, thereby, of the extension II3, which latter, when engaging the collar H5, lifts the rod III with the float H6 out of the injection cylinder 6.- The injection plunger I may then perform its injection operation in a manner previously described in connection with Figure 1.

Referring now to the embodiment of Figures 8 and 9, the latter is likewise provided with a fluid operable cylinder-piston-assembly I ll, similar to the cylinder-piston-assembly 98 of Figures 6 and 7h The rod l0, however, connected with a piston (not shown) in the cylinder H9, is provided with an adjustable collar H9 and has its upper end connected to a slide I which is slidable on rods I2! arranged in a frame portion I22. The slide I20 carries a pivot I23 connected to the ladle 66 and rotatable in a bore I24 in the slide I20. The slide IE0 is furthermore provided with an abutment H25 for limiting the movement of the ladle 66 when the latter moves in anticlockwise direction. The ladle 60 is provided with an butment lZt adapted to cooperate with the bolt 127 in a manner which will presently be described.

For actuating the device of Figures 8. and 9, pressure fluid is admitted, through the conduit 93, while fluid is exhausted from the. conduit 92. As a result thereof, the rod I0 and, thereby, the slide I20 connected thereto move up-- 'wardly. Upward movement of the slide I20 causes first to move the ladle 36, parallel to itself, upwardly until the abutment I26 strikes the bolt I21. ment of the slide I20 causes the pivot I23, con- From now on the upward move-,

cup shaped portion 61. The valve member I3I has connected thereto a U-shaped member I33, which embraces a ball joint I34 connected to a rod I35. The rod I35 forms an extension of the member I36 which is shiftable about a pivot I31. Theimember I30 is threadedly engaged by a threaded bolt I38carrying a ball shaped float The arrangement is such that the float I39, when contacting the bottom I" of the cup shaped portion 81, causes the joint I34 to open the bore I30 .to a maximum extent so that the molten metal in the container 6| will enter the interior of the cup shaped portion. While the metal level in the cup shaped portion 61 rises, the float I39 likewise rises and moves about the pivot I3'I so that the joint I34 gradually decreases the free section of the opening I30. When the level of the metal in the cup shaped portion 61 has reached a predetermined height, corresponding to the quantity desired to pour into the casting machine, the joint I34 has completely closed the opening I30. The ladle may then be lifted in any of the ways described in connection with Figures 1 to 9 for transferring the metal from the ladle 66 into the casting machine.

nected to the ladle 66, to turn in the bore I20 9 so that the ladle 66 rotates in clockwise direction. When the collar H9 abuts the stationary member I28, the ladle 66 occupies the position shown in Figure 9 and cannot move further in clockwise direction. The metal will then flow from the ladle 63 into the injection cylinder 6.

The highest pouring position of the ladle 63 is preferably so that some material is still left in the cup shaped portion 61 for retaining the slag of the metal,

To return the ladle 66 to its initial or im merged position, it is merely necessary to admit pressure fluid through conduit 92 while connecting the conduit 93 to an exhaust. The rod I0, together with the slide I20, will then move downwardly and the ladle will again occupy the position shown in Figure 8. 1

In instances in which it is desired to substantially prevent the entrance of any slag into the ladle, the ladle may be constructed as shown in Figure 10. As will be seen therefrom, the upper end of the cup shaped portion 61 of the ladle is closed by a closure member I29, while an opening I03 is provided at a lower part of the cup shaped ladle portion. The opening I30 is adapted to be closed by a sliding valve member I3I reciprocable in a guiding portion I32 of the The arrangement of Figure 10 also makes it I possible, by adjustment of the bolt I30, to vary the quantity of molten'metal ladled by the ladle 36 when immerged into the metal in the container 6i.

A further advantage of the structure shown in Figure 10 consists in that practically no slag can enter the cup shaped portion 67.

It will be understood that I desire to secure within my invention such modifications as come :vithin the scope of the claims and the invenion.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A charging device comprising in combination. storage means adapted to receive molten metal, a charging member pivotally movable selectively into a first position for dipping into said storage means to receive molten metal, or into a second position for discharging metal thus reoperable to move said charging member parallel to itself out of said container, fluid operable means operable selectively to actuate said slide, and means operable at a predetermined point of travel of said slide and responsive to the travel of said slide to cause said charging member to shift about said pivot means for discharging metal from said discharging member.

2. In combination. storage means adapted to receive molten metal, a charging member movable selectively into a first position for dipping into said storage means to receive molten metal, or into a second position for discharging metal thus received, a slide pivotally connected to said charging member and operable to move said charging member parallel to itself out of said storage means, fluid operable means for actuating said slide, means operable at a predetermined point of travel of said slide and responsive to the travel of said slide to cause said charging ment her to move through a predetermined angle for discharging metal therefrom, and means associated with said slide for varying said predetermined angle.

3. In combination, storage means adapted to asea'ns receive. molten metal, a charging member operable automatically to transfer molten metal from said storage means into a chamber, means-responsive to a predetermined filling of said chamher for interrupting the discharge of molten metal from said charging member into said chamber, and means responsive to the said interruption .for returning the metal, remaining in said charging member, to said storage means.

4. In combination, storage means adapted to receive molten metal, a charging member movable selectively into a first position to dip into said container for receiving molten metal therefrom, or into a second position for unloading the thus received metal into a chamber, reciprocable pressure fluid operable means operatively connected with said charging member for actuating the same, and control means associated with said reciprocable means actuated by a predetermined discharge of molten metal into said'chamber for terminating th unloading action of said charging member and causing actuation ofsaid fluid operable means for returning the charging member to said first position.

5. ,In combination, storage means adapted to receive molten metal, a charging member movable selectively into a first position to receive molten metal from said storage means, or into a second position to unload the thus received metal into a chamber, actuating means for moving said first position.

charging member selectively into said first or said second position, control means associated with said actuating means and operable in response to a predetermined quantity of molten metal received by said chamber for initiating the return of said charging member into said first position, and means associated with said control means and operable to vary said predetermined quantity of molten metal necessary in said chamber for initiating the return 01' said',charging member into said first position.

6. A charging device comprising in combination, a container for receiving moltenmetal, a charging member movable selectively into a first end position to receive molten metal from said container, or into a second end position to discharge the thus received metal, fluid operable means for selectively moving said charging memher from said first position into said second position, or vice versa, electrical means for controllingthe actuation of said fluid operable to move said charging member into said second position, and means actuated by a determined discharge of metal from the charging member for rendering said electrical means operably ineflective upon said fluid operable means to cause the latter to move said charging member into said GEORGE A. WALDIE. v 

